Description
Sweet sunshine of Mediterranean orchards sparkles in this homemade orange jam, capturing pure citrus essence with simple ingredients. Silky, golden preserves will transport you to sun-drenched Spanish groves with each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kg) fresh oranges
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
Supportive Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
Instructions
- Meticulously cleanse oranges under cool running water to eliminate any external impurities.
- Carefully extract vibrant orange zest using a vegetable peeler, ensuring minimal white pith contact. Slice zest into delicate, thin strips.
- Completely peel oranges, meticulously removing all bitter white membrane. Separate fruit segments, discarding seeds.
- Roughly chop orange segments into rustic, uneven pieces.
- Transfer zest strips into a small saucepan, completely submerge with cold water.
- Ignite medium heat, bringing liquid to a rolling boil. Promptly drain water completely.
- Repeat blanching process twice more to dramatically reduce zest’s sharp, bitter undertones.
- In a robust, heavy-bottomed cooking vessel, amalgamate blanched zest, chopped segments, sugar, tangy lemon juice, and water.
- Elevate heat to medium-high, stirring vigorously until sugar crystals dissolve completely.
- Reduce temperature to medium-low, allowing mixture to gently simmer. Intermittently stir to prevent scorching.
- Continue cooking for 40-50 minutes, monitoring consistency transformation.
- Perform jam readiness test by chilling a small plate in freezer for several minutes.
- Delicately deposit a modest jam sample onto frozen plate. Allow one minute resting period.
- Softly nudge jam’s perimeter; successful setting produces subtle wrinkling and shape retention.
- Upon achieving desired thickness, immediately remove from heat source.
- Allow brief cooling interval, then carefully transfer into sterilized glass containers, maintaining 1/4 inch headspace.
- Securely seal jar lids, permitting natural cooling to room temperature.
- Refrigerate for optimal freshness up to 3 weeks, or process in boiling water bath for extended 12-month preservation.
Notes
- Blanch zest multiple times to eliminate bitterness and create a smoother, more refined flavor profile.
- Use fresh, ripe oranges for maximum sweetness and vibrant citrus notes in your homemade jam.
- Choose organic oranges if possible to avoid pesticide residues and ensure a cleaner, more natural jam.
- Experiment with additional spices like cinnamon or vanilla to enhance the jam’s complexity and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 159 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg